Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot said from what he sees, consumers are in a sluggish and financially conservative mood.In other words, they don't want to spend money. Franchot announced the statewide tax-free week at a mall that took a big hit in the riots.Mondawmin Mall has made huge strides. There are high hopes that it will be a big hit during tax-free shopping week in Maryland."I'd like to say how pleased I am to be in Mondawmin Mall. Obviously the troubles in Baltimore last year had a negative impact, but this mall decided to do the right thing and pick itself up and put itself right back in the game," Franchot said.Franchot announced the upcoming shop Maryland Tax-Free Week there. Mondawmin Mall opened in 1956 and has been through many changes. The latest renovation came in 2008.Mall management said after the looting and vandalism in the spring of 2015, the mall and its retailers experienced a substantial loss, but quickly recovered. Shoppers have noticed."They're doing a great job. It’s so clean and the atmosphere is perfect," one shopper said."It's come back to life and I hope they don't try to do anything like that again," another shopper said.There are stores at the mall that have wide appeal: Target, Marshalls and the newest discount store -- Ross.Franchot blames Baltimore's sluggish economic activity on the crime wave that is keeping people from living and shopping in the city. He said while the city's economy is improving, it could use a big boost from tax-free week. Shoppers will not pay a 6 percent sales tax on any article of clothing or footwear under $100."They should take advantage of tax-free shopping week because it's good for the consumer, and it's good for these businesses that have stayed, invested (and) provided good products," Franchot said."It's helped me save a lot. I know that much," a shopper said.Tax-free shopping week runs from Aug. 14-20. Check here for more information.Get the WBAL-TV News App

BALTIMORE —

Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot said from what he sees, consumers are in a sluggish and financially conservative mood.

In other words, they don't want to spend money. Franchot announced the statewide tax-free week at a mall that took a big hit in the riots.

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Mondawmin Mall has made huge strides. There are high hopes that it will be a big hit during tax-free shopping week in Maryland.

"I'd like to say how pleased I am to be in Mondawmin Mall. Obviously the troubles in Baltimore last year had a negative impact, but this mall decided to do the right thing and pick itself up and put itself right back in the game," Franchot said.

Franchot announced the upcoming shop Maryland Tax-Free Week there. Mondawmin Mall opened in 1956 and has been through many changes. The latest renovation came in 2008.

Mall management said after the looting and vandalism in the spring of 2015, the mall and its retailers experienced a substantial loss, but quickly recovered. Shoppers have noticed.

"They're doing a great job. It’s so clean and the atmosphere is perfect," one shopper said.

"It's come back to life and I hope they don't try to do anything like that again," another shopper said.

There are stores at the mall that have wide appeal: Target, Marshalls and the newest discount store -- Ross.

Franchot blames Baltimore's sluggish economic activity on the crime wave that is keeping people from living and shopping in the city. He said while the city's economy is improving, it could use a big boost from tax-free week. Shoppers will not pay a 6 percent sales tax on any article of clothing or footwear under $100.

"They should take advantage of tax-free shopping week because it's good for the consumer, and it's good for these businesses that have stayed, invested (and) provided good products," Franchot said.